General Motors has obtained a patent for active pneumatic device control system, which can fully improve vehicle energy efficiency

According to foreign media reports, General Motors has applied for a patent for an active pneumatic system. The system aims to maximize the energy efficiency of vehicles.

On November 1, 2022, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (UPSTO) announced the patent with the assigned serial number US 11485429 B2. The application was initially submitted on February 3, 2020.

The patent states that aerodynamic drag is one of the biggest factors causing energy loss in all modes of transportation, including cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes. For hybrid and pure electric vehicles, the impact of aerodynamic resistance is particularly significant, as the car can slide in the air, significantly changing the energy consumption of the battery.

To address this issue, this active pneumatic system can self regulate to fully improve aerodynamic efficiency during driving, even if environmental conditions change. The system includes multiple aerodynamic control devices, such as the active front grille system of the vehicle, grilles around the wheels, deployable side panels, active bottom diffusers, active rear spoilers, deployable vortex generators, and deployable roof panels.

The patent also mentions how to connect these different devices together through a comprehensive digital system to monitor their impact on the overall energy efficiency of the vehicle. By using in vehicle fuel economy sensors, the impact of aerodynamic equipment on vehicle efficiency can be measured, and the setting of aerodynamic equipment can be actively changed through self-learning modules to achieve maximum benefits. At the same time, weather data and data transmitted and received from cloud networks can be combined to achieve faster learning.

General Motors is committed to the widespread application of pure electric power systems by 2035. The adoption of an active aerodynamic system helps to fully improve the single charge range and further develop battery technology and drive motor technology.

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